Toespraak minister Koenders tijdens Max van der Stoel Award ceremonie

Toespraak | 24-10-2016

Your Excellencies,

Friends and family of Max van der Stoel,

Members of the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research,

Mr Villadsen,

Ms Thors,

Before I present the Seventh Max van der Stoel Award, I would like to say a few words to the chairperson of this year’s jury: Astrid Thors, whose tenure as the High Commissioner for National Minorities ended in August. Astrid: thank you for everything you’ve done to fulfil your mandate over the past three years.

With tensions between and within OSCE societies on the rise, these are trying times for the organisation. Security and cooperation in Europe are as urgent as ever, but sadly, they have become more elusive. When people are under great pressure, the hardest thing to do is maintain a dialogue, and keep talking to one another as equals.

I find it impossible to overstate the OSCE’s value as an impartial forum where problems can be discussed openly – especially before they escalate.

The work of the High Commissioner, as well as the other OSCE autonomous institutions, is of the utmost importance in preventing conflict. The office, mandate and autonomy of the High Commissioner can count on the Netherlands’ full support. It is vital that the members of the OSCE reach consensus on a new, qualified High Commissioner – and sooner rather than later.

The High Commissioner’s job is like a group photographer’s: always trying to get the right people together at exactly the right time. A photographer must always be alert to details that could ruin a picture unless they are put right – and a High Commissioner knows that the denial of equal rights and equal protection to minorities is often a forerunner of widespread violence and oppression.

Like a photographer, the High Commissioner and her staff always work behind the scenes, never taking centre stage. Much of their work remains unseen. As any photographer will attest, too much exposure can destroy months and even years of efforts. Quiet and persistent diplomacy, of the kind that Max van der Stoel perfected, is key.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Fortunately, the High Commissioner has no monopoly of diligence and modesty.

As the film we just saw demonstrates, this year’s winner of the Max van der Stoel Award possesses those two virtues in abundance. From the moment travel restrictions between the two parts of Cyprus were relaxed, 13 years ago, the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research has quietly worked to foster mutual respect and understanding.

History cannot be denied, nor must it be forgotten.

But its misuse can become an obstacle to normal relations between peoples.

Its distortion can separate majority and minority communities.

Its manipulation can divide societies that should be united.

Mutual understanding cannot be imposed or declared. Take the Association’s educational projects. They are not meant to teach one specific version of Cypriots’ history; rather, they are meant to increase historical awareness and stimulate critical thinking. They show how different perspectives on shared history can coexist, without one perspective being favoured over another.

In the end, politicians cannot make Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots live in harmony. Politicians cannot make people trust each other and build a society together. That will be up to Turkish and Greek Cypriots themselves.

The success of the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research demonstrates the power that communities themselves have to shape their relations. It serves as a shining example to other countries where relations between communities are strained.

The current Cypriot-led talks are reason to be hopeful about reunification. If and when reunification occurs, the need for mutual understanding will become even greater. As more and more Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots meet each other, occasions for tensions and conflict will multiply. In that sense, the toughest challenge lies ahead. This award is not just meant to recognise past achievements; it also serves to encourage future efforts. The work of today’s award winners is helping to advance the indispensable process of reconciliation. May it do so for many years to come.

I would now like to ask the two co-presidents of the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research to join me.

Kyriakos Pachoulides, Alev Tuğberk, I am honoured to present the seventh Max van der Stoel Award to you both.